Elizabeth
Becht is a Philadelphia Park based trainer who I recently found out was a
jockey. I got in contact with her and here is what she said.

FOTH: Where were you
born and where did you grow up?

EB: I
was born in Sicily Italy in 1950. I came to the US in 1956. I grew up in
Florida.

FOTH: What sort of kid
were you growing up?

EB: A tom boy. I had just come from Italy and did not know how to
speak English. I got put in a catholic school right away. I had are really
bizarre type of growing up cause I had come from ethnic to another and had to
learn the language and I was only 6 years old.

FOTH: How long were you
in Florida?

EB: I
lived in Florida from 1956 to 1976.

FOTH: When you were
young did you have any thoughts of being a jockey?

EB: When I was young I always liked the horses. My father rode for
the King of Italy. He had it in his blood and I certainty have it in mine. It's
just a natural instinct I am drawn to the horse.

FOTH: What even or
events led to you becoming a jockey?

EB: Now
that is interesting because I am probably the oldest girl jockey that ever got a
license. I was 26 when I started riding. Got the bug in Florida and I had been
married, got divorced and brought a 5 acre farm in Ocala, FL. I was down there
for 5 years and got involved with Marehaven Farms breaking their yearlings and
that led me to Florida Downs (now Tampa Bay Downs-Chris) and that led to me
riding from there.

FOTH: Can you tell us
what you remember about your 1st ride?

EB: It
was at Florida Downs in 1976. The horse's name was Shucks in Howdy. I had
galloped for this man J.D. Price and he had a big outfit down there. I begged
him every day to put me on a horse and let me ride. He promised me he would and
on the last day of the meet he did. The horse finished 4th, pulled up bad, but I
was very pleased with my performance. The jockeys showed me how to put on my
equipment. During the post parade I was very nervous.

FOTH: Was tough was it
for you as a female jockey back then?

EB: It
was. It came mostly from the jockeys, owners and trainers. The public accepted
female jockeys. I survived. If you want to do something bad enough and love it
enough, you do it.

FOTH: Tell us what you
remember about your 1st win. Did you get creamed with stuff after the race?

EB: Yes
that is a regular thing. They all join in and do things to ya. There is no way
to avoid it. Oil, shoe polish, water shaving cream. Everybody has something in
their hand and after you come back after your 1st win, you get it. My 1st win
was at Pocono Downs. I rode one race at Florida Downs, then I was at Calder and
Gulfstream for maybe 3-4 months. It was very difficult. Then some people
suggested this little 5/8th's track of a mile track called Pocono Downs where
maybe you work hard, you can ride. Raymond Valenger, an ex jockey he was a
mentor. He taught me a lot. He took me up to Pocono on September 7, 1977 and I
won by a hair. The horse I was riding wasn't doing well, but he won that day.

FOTH: How long did you
ride for and what were some of the tracks you rode at?

EB: I rode at Philadelphia Park, Gulfstream, Calder, Pocono Downs,
Atlantic City, Delaware, and Garden State Park. I have lived in this area since
1976. I rode from 1976 till 1985 regularly. After that I cut back and became
trainer/owner. In the state of PA you cannot be a jockey/owner/trainer. My goal
is to ride, train and own my own horses which is what I want to do.

FOTH: Did you get along
with most of the male jockeys and any funny stories to tell?

EB:
There are lots of funny stories Chris. Something that stuck out in my mind was
in a very early race in my career where I was sitting on a fairly good horse and
I came out of the gate and I was in front by like 1/2 a length and I'm going
into the turn and all the sudden I feel this drag like if you had your emergency
brake on as you were driving. I think to myself that's strange. I look down I
notice the jockey next to me is holding my saddle towel and a horse usually only
has one foot on the ground most of the time so the horse can be propelled by the
slightest little motion and I looked at him and he looked at me and smiled and
churped his horse and left me standing still. Another time coming out of the
gate I was on a speed horse and both horses along side of me slammed me and
closed me out of there and I lost both my stir-ups. The rider on the right side
of me realized I was in trouble right off the bat as I'm trying to put one foot
back in, he reaches over and grabs hold of my silk. And this is while we were
riding! He held my silk long enough for me to put my foot in my stirrup and get
me back in stride and then he winked at me and off he went!

FOTH: Were you taught a
lot as far as riding goes or did you have to learn a lot on your own?

EB: I
had a natural ability to ride horses. The minute I step up on a horse we talk to
each other. If we are not on the same page then I become a teacher and he
becomes a student. In doing that I have come a long way with them as far as not
getting hurt. I have had little injuries, but no major broken bones. I'm still
out there riding every day.

FOTH: What were some of
the obstacles you had to overcome being a female jockey?

EB:
Well the fact that I was 26 when I applied for my license. The female obstacle
too, as long as men are men and woman you’re going to find that in every walk of
life. That goes anywhere.

FOTH: What led to you
retired as a jockey?

EB:
Well here in Pennsylvania you cannot own, train horses and also be a jockey. And
since this is where I live, that is why I basically gave up professional riding.

FOTH: You are now a
trainer/owner. Is that something you just kinda progressed into?

EB: It was something that was in me from day #1. I do everything
with my horses. It was a natural progression.

FOTH: Do you use female
riders?

EB: I have used several female riders. Janice Blake won several
races for me last year. I am, and your hearing it from me, I am as good as 98%
of the riders out there and I'm 52 years old and I can still get it on if you
want too. I can't right now due to the rules.

FOTH: What advice would
you give someone who wants to become a jockey?

EB:
Absolutely go for it. If you have a feel for the horse, go for it. Nothing
better. If you don't have the heart, then don't bother.

FOTH: Thanks for the
interview. Any last words?

EB: I love this business and I love the whole scene. Chris thanks
for the interview and good luck with the website.